Fall weather makes me HAPPY

As I am sitting here thinking about what I am going to write about, a nice breeze starts blowing in the window. This weather totally reminds me of when I was younger and of course volleyball season & football season. I particularly do not enjoy watching football  but I do know I LOVED going to my high school football games. Did I watch the games? Nope.. I ran around and chased boys!

As I was walking my dog I was thinking about why I enjoy this time of the year so much. I came up with a few things that I will share with you. The smell of "fall leaves"in the air with the crisp breeze blowing is delightful. The sight of the leaves changes colors and the clouds in the sky slowly moving and looking rather unique is peaceful. The fact that I get to wear hooded sweatshirts, rocks! Sleeping with the windows open makes me feel in tune with nature. Bon fires have an awful smell, but boy they are a lot of fun! The taste of chili is a gift to the taste buds. Apple cider does not taste as good during any other season. Pumpkin carving is not only a great family bonding event, the pumpkin seeds in the middle are a rather tasty snack! Wearing my nice fall jacket is very comfortable. My hair always looks better during the fall. The humidity is GONE, sigh. I can finally rock my boots again, yeeehaa! I get to spend more time in the kitchen, watch out world! The corn that grows from the earth is a gift from god and a very versatile fall crop. Candles sales increase and my house finally smells good. Finally, I get to turn my ac off, my check book is very happy about that.

I have been spending a lot of more time in the kitchen lately and getting in touch with my "crafty" side. Now that I have been a vegetarian for more than a year, but been practicing for a few years, I am starting to learn a lot about my body. Becoming a vegetarian does more good than you might ever know. As I have been meat free, I feel myself starting to be more in tune with nature. I feel myself with more energy. I feel my body telling me when I am low on fuel or when I have had a little to much fun, I pay for it. I feel more energized with certain foods I eat. I feel my stomach hurt if I give in and have a piece of cheese. My skin feels soft and clear. I am learning how to listen to my body and eat what I need in order to feel great and look great, inside and out. This type of mind body connection is only noticed once we start to focus on our body and detox the junk out. Try and see if you can listen to your body and hear what it is telling you. I promise, once you learn how to "listen" your life will be much more enjoyable.

 Before my vegetarian journey I would suffer from frequent head aches, several canker sores in the mouth, cold sores on the outside of my mouth, sickness, acne and frequent random stomach pain. I honestly thought I just had to suffer with all these problems, I thought I was just born that way. I am here to tell you to re -think that! If you suffer from any of the things I listed, your diet change is a must. I would have several canker sores in my mouth at one time and be in severe pain. I can remember gargling salt water, going through tubes of ora gel and avoiding oranges because the acid in the fruit would hurt to eat. Wow, just thinking about those days makes my mouth hurt!! Please consider looking at your diet and and listing the things you suffer from on a daily basis. I am not a doctor, nor do I clam to be. Something I can almost promise you is this; if you cut out the crap in your diet, your  painful symptoms will slowly start to melt away!  I would encourage you buying the book, "You Are What You Eat". Dr. Gillian does an outstanding job of explaining how to listen to your body, she recommends supplements that you might be lacking in your diet for each symptom as well.

 P.S Panera has avocado on their menu now! I am thrilled. :) Panera is one of my few, vegan friendly restaurants... they do not have an extensive list of vegan food, primarily salad, however they are healthly and I like that.  :)